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Guidance for Applicants

The SRS Museums, Archives and Libraries Bursary Scheme

The SRS Museums, Archives and Libraries Bursary Scheme is intended to provide financial assistance for museum, library and archive professionals to undertake original research towards a publication, exhibition or display on, or closely related, to a museum, library or archive collection.

This Bursary scheme will provide financial support towards projects of finite duration (time-scale to be agreed on a case by case basis).

The scheme encourages diversity of projects and a broad UK and Ireland regional and national spread.

There is one application period per year.

The application form and supporting material must reach the Museums and Galleries Officer, SRS, at the address stated by 5pm on the closing date in order for the proposal to be considered. No extensions will be granted. Application results will be available from around six weeks after the deadline. Details of the accepted projects will be posted on the SRS website. Please note that members of the selection panel will not enter into discussion about failed submissions.

The number of applications to be supported will vary according to the duration and cost of the successful individual projects.

Owing to finite resources, and to encourage diversity, the SRS Museums, Archives and Libraries Bursary Scheme will not assist more than two applicants from a single institution in any one year.

Completed applications must be received by 30 September. They must include:

a completed application form.

a curriculum vitae from the candidate.

a discursive outline of project plans, with expected timetable and outcomes.

a budget proposal.

declaration of any other grants related to this project received or applied for.

Original research towards a publication or exhibition. Applicants are encouraged to have the written permission from their institution to take time for the proposed research; if not, they should explain how the proposed research can be conducted in their own time.

Applications will not be accepted for projects that have already been completed.

Who is eligible?

The following people are eligible:

Museum, library and archive professionals (curators, librarians, archivists, conservators, educators etc.). This scheme is intended for museum, library and archive professionals rather than the academic staff of universities and other institutions of higher education.

Freelance museum, library and archive professionals are eligible to apply. However, prospective candidates should make contact with the SRS Museums and Galleries Officer before submitting their application in order to determine their eligibility.

Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply in future years for the same or different projects.

Applicants will be qualified to undertake research at post-graduate level: i.e. they will have completed an MA or a doctoral degree or have equivalent experience.

Applicants in any doubt about their eligibility or any other aspect of their application are advised to contact the Museums and Galleries Officer, SRS, who will be pleased to assist.

Claiming Expenses

Reimbursements will only be issued on submission of coherent accounts and corresponding receipts or invoices and on production of a final report (see below). It is therefore essential to keep all receipts and account for your expenses accurately and clearly.

Reimbursements will not be issued until all receipts and accounts are received by the SRS Treasurer. Receipts must be official and valid. If receipts are missing, a full reimbursement will not be made. Reimbursements will be made according to the expenditure indicated by the receipts. Eg. If you apply for £300 but you only provide £200 worth of receipts you will be reimbursed for £200.

Reimbursements will be issued, in sterling, in the form of a cheque, or by electronic transfer.

All receipts and accounts must be received within the tenable 12 month period, i.e by 30 September of the following year.

Final Report

Project participants must submit a 1000-word report (with images if necessary) at the end of their project which will be published in the SRS’s Bulletin and will appear on the SRS’s website.